"International human rights groups call for justice in case of modern slavery against Furukawa S.A. in Ecuador", 05 October 2023

...On January 15, 2021, the Ecuadorian courts recognized for the first time that the conditions of Furukawa Plantaciones C.A. workers constituted a violation of the right to equality, nondiscrimination, the prohibition of slavery by serfdom (servidumbre de la gleba), the right to health, housing, education and identity. The judgment established the responsibility of both the Ecuadorian State and Furukawa Plantaciones C.A. del Ecuador, and ordered them to implement several clearly stipulated reparation measures. On appeal, the Provincial Court of Justice of the Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas region confirmed the company's liability, but exonerated the Ecuadorian State from liability. It did not revoke the reparation measures in favor of the workers...

...Almost three years later, no progress has been made in the application of this sentence, while the economic and social situation of the abacaleros is increasingly precarious and the threats and harassment against them for their legitimate human rights claims have worsened. So far, six former workers of the company have died without knowing the justice of their case, due to health problems that they never had the possibility of medical treatment, dozens are still sick with precarious medical attention and undignified living conditions, so their lives are at risk. The former workers and lawyers of CEDHU have faced charges and accusations of extortion, intimidation, illegal occupation and use of land and fiber theft, in a clear attempt of judicial pressure and criminalization. All of these charges have been dismissed for lack of evidence...

...Because of its seriousness, the undersigned international organizations are deeply concerned about the Furukawa case. The decision in this case may set an important precedent for workers' rights and have a concrete impact on the protection of human rights defenders at risk...